• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• 제41권4호
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• pp.335-343
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• 2022

BACKGROUND: Antibiotics used in animal husbandry for disease prevention and treatment have resulted in the rapid progression of antibiotic resistant bacteria which can be introduced into the environment through livestock feces/manure, disseminating antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs). In this study, fecal samples were collected from the livestock farms located in Jeju Island to investigate the relationship between microbial communities and ARGs. METHODS AND RESULTS: Illumina MiSeq sequencing was applied to characterize microbial communities within each fecal sample. Using quantitative PCR (qPCR), ten ARGs encoding tetracycline resistance (tetB, tetM), sulfonamide resistance (sul1, sul2), fluoroquinolone resistance (qnrD, qnrS), fluoroquinolone and aminoglycoside resistance (aac(6')-Ib), beta-lactam resistance (bla_TEM, bla_CTX-M), macrolide resistance (ermC), a class 1 integronsintegrase gene (intI1), and a class 2 integrons-integrase gene (intI2) were quantified. The results showed that Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were dominant in human, cow, horse, and pig groups, while Firmicutes and Actinobacteria were dominant in chicken group. Among ARGs, tetM was detected with the highest number of copies, followed by sul1 and sul2. Most of the genera belonging to Firmicutes showed positive correlations with ARGs and integron genes. There were 97, 34, 31, 25, and 22 genera in chicken, cow, pig, human, and horse respectively which showed positive correlations with ARGs and integron genes. In network analysis, we identified diversity of microbial communities which correlated with ARGs and integron genes. CONCLUSION(S): In this study, antibiotic resistance patterns in human and livestock fecal samples were identified. The abundance of ARGs and integron genes detected in the samples were associated with the amount of antibiotics commonly used for human and livestocks. We found diverse microbial communities associated with antibiotics resistance genes in different hosts, suggesting that antibiotics resistance can disseminate across environments through various routes. Identifying the routes of ARG dissemination in the environment would be the first step to overcome the challenge of antibiotic resistance in the future.

• Journal of Adhesion and Interface
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.157-161
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• 2024

Amphiphilic gold nanoparticles, synthesized by the simultaneous binding of hydrophilic and hydrophobic ligands on their surfaces, find diverse applications in energy, bio, optical, electronic technologies, and various other fields. Particularly, these amphiphilic gold nanoparticles possess both hydrophilic and hydrophobic characteristics, enabling them to activate interface at the interface of immiscible fluids and form organized structures. The surface properties of gold nanoparticles play a crucial role in influencing the behaviors of amphiphilic gold nanoparticles at the interface of two fluids. Therefore, this study investigated the adsorption behaviors of gold nanoparticles at the organic solvent-water interface based on the surface characteristics of amphiphilic gold nanoparticles and the type of organic solvents. It was observed that the amount of adsorbed gold nanoparticles at the interface increased with the length of hydrocarbon chains in hydrophobic ligands and increased with shorter hydrocarbon chains in the organic solvent. Furthermore, using the Langmuir isotherm model, the study confirmed the formation of a monolayer by amphiphilic gold nanoparticles and obtained significant thermodynamic parameters simultaneously.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• 제20권1호
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• pp.47-60
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• 2007

While sedimentological researches on Western coastal tidal flats of Korea have been much pelformed previously, mineralogical and biogeochemical studies are beginning to be studied. The objectives of this study were to investigate mineralogical characteritics of the inter-tidal flat sediments and to explore phase transformation of iron(oxyhydr)oxides and biomineralization by metal-reducing bacteria enriched from the inter-tidal flat sediments from Muan, Jeollanam-do, Korea. Inter-tidal flat sediment samples were collected in Chungkye-myun and Haeje-myun, Muan-gun, Jeollanam-do. Particle size analyses were performed using the pipette method and sedimentation method. The separates including sand, silt and clay fractions were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffiaction (XRD). After enriching the metal-.educing bacteria from the into,-tidal flat sediments, the bacteria were used to study phase transformation of the synthesized iron (oxyhydr)oxides and iron biomineralization using lactate or glucose as the electron donors and Fe(III)-containing iron oxides as the electron accepters. Mineralogical studies showed that the sediments of tidal flats in Chung]rye-myun and Haeje-myun consist of quartz, plagioclase, microcline, biotite, kaolinite and illite. Biogeochemical researches showed that the metal-reducing bacteria enriched from the inter-tidal flat sediments reduced reddish brown akaganeite and mineralized nanometer-sized black magnetite. The bacteria also reduced the reddish brown ferrihydrite into black amorphous phases and reduced the yellowish goethite into greenish with formation of nm-sized phases. These results indicate that microbial Fe(III) reduction may play one of important roles in iron and carbon biogeochemistry as well as iron biomineralization in subsurface environments.

• Applied Microscopy
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.27-40
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• 1993

This study was taken to examine the light microscopic and ultrastructural changes of gill and kidney of female tilapia{Oreochromis niloticus) adapted in 0%o, 10%o, 20%o, and 30%o salt concentrations, respectively, by light, scanning and transmission electron microscope. The results obtained in these experiments were summarized as follows: Gill chloride cell hyperplasia, gill lamellar epithelial separation, kidney glomerular shrinkage, blood congestion in kidneys and deposition of hyalin droplets in kidney glomeruli, tubules were the histological alterations in Oreochromis niloticus. Incidence and severity of gill chloride cell hyperplasia rapidly increased together with increase of salinity, and the number of chloride cells in gill lamellae rapidly increased in response to high external NaCl concentrations. The ultrastructure by scanning electron microscope(SEM) indicated that the gill secondary lamella of tilapia(Oreochromis niloticus) exposed to seawater, were characterized by rough convoluted surfaces during the adaptation. Transmission electron microscopy(TEM) indicated that mitochondria in chloride cells exposed to seawater, were both large and elongate and contained well-developed cristae. TEM also showed the increased chloride cells exposed to seawater. The presence of two mitochondria-rich cell types is discussed with regard to their possible role in the hypoosmoregulatory changes which occur during seawater-adaptation. Most Oreochromis niloticus adapted in seawater had an occasional glomerulus completely filling Bowman's capsule in kidney, and glomerular shrinkage was occurred higher in kidney tissues of individuals living in 10%o, 20%o, 30%o of seawater than in those living in 0%o of freshwater, and blood congestion was occurred severer in kidney tissues of individuals living 20%o, 30%o of seawater than in those living in 10%o of seawater. There were decreases in the glomerular area and the nuclear area in the main segments of the nephron, and that the nuclear areas of the nephron cells in seawater-adapted tilapia were of smaller size than those from freshwater-adapted fish. Our findings demonstrated that Oreochromis niloticus tolerated moderately saline environment and the increased body weight living in 30%o was relatively higher than that living in 10%o in spite of histopathological changes.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• 제50권4호
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• pp.678-683
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• 2012

Ceria is one of the most important catalytic materials which can be used in three-way catalysts, waste water treatment, petroleum refining, etc. So far, many methods have been studied to produce ceria nanoparticles. In this study, ceria nanoparticles were prepared via solvothermal synthesis using supercritical methanol in short reaction time using a batch reactor. The size of synthesized ceria nanoparticles in supercritical methanol is 6 nm without capping agent, which is smaller than that made in supercritical water at the same conditions of $400^{\circ}C$ and 30 MPa. Size difference results from density and critical point difference between water and methanol and slow reaction rate at the surface of ceria particles in supercritical methanol which reduces crystal growth rate. Several organic compounds were added to modify the surface of ceria nanoparticles, and in-situ surface modification was confirmed by FT-IR and TGA analysis. Surface modified ceria nanoparticles have excellent dispersibility in organic solvent. Size and shape of surface modified ceria particles can be controlled by adjusting molar ratio of modifier to precursor and selection of modifier.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• 제39권1호
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• pp.88-98
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• 2015

4-Amino-N-hexadecylbenzamide-graphene sheets (AHB-GSs), used in the preparation of the polyimide (PI) nanocomposite films, were synthesized by mixing a dispersion of graphite oxide with a solution of the ammonium salt of AHB. The atomic force microscope image of functionalized-GS on mica and a profile plot revealed the average thickness of AHB-GS to be ~3.21 nm. PI films were synthesized by reacting 4,4'-biphthalic anhydride and bis(4-aminophenyl) sulfide. PI nanocomposite films containing various contents of AHB-GS over the range of 0-10 wt% were synthesized using the solution intercalation method. The PI nanocomposite films under different thermal imidization temperatures, 250 and $350^{\circ}C$, were examined. The graphenes, for the most part, were well dispersed in the polymer matrix despite some agglomeration. However, micrometer-scale particles were not detected. The average thickness of the particles was <10 nm, as revealed from the transmission electron microscope images. Only a small amount of AHB-GS was required to improve the gas barrier, and electrical conductivity. In contrast, the glass transition and initial decomposition temperatures of the PI hybrid films continued to decrease with increasing content of AHB-GS up to 10 wt%. In general, the properties of the PI hybrid films heat treated at $350^{\circ}C$ were better than those of films heat treated at $250^{\circ}C$.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• 제21권6호
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• pp.643-647
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• 2010

O-carboxymethyl water-soluble chitosan (OCMCh) prepared for enhance the application of chitosan was modified with mthoxy polyethyleneglycol (mPEG) by ion-complex for long circulation in the blood. OCMCh-PEG-PLLs was prepared by forming ion-complex with OCMCh-PEG and Poly(L-Lysine) (PLL) for drug and gene delivery system. The physicochemcal characterisitcs of OCMCh-PEG-PLLs were investigated by FT-IR, $^1H$-NMR. These results showed that CMCh-PEG-PLLs were successfully syntehsized by ion-complex. Particle size distribution and zeta potential of the OCMCh-PEG-PLLs were determined using dynamic light scattering technique. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was also used to observe the morphology of the OCMCh-PEG-PLLs. OCMCh-PEG-PLLs have spherical shapes with particle size 290∼390 nm. OCMCh-PEG-PLLs were showed when the feeding amount of mPEG ratio was increased, particle size and zeta potential were decreased. Based on these results, it is possible to introduction of the OCMCh-PEG-PLLs into various biomedical fields such as drug and gene delivery system.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• 제51권2호
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• pp.208-213
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• 2013

Zirconium hydroxide was synthesized by varying the aging time of the zirconyl chloride octahydrate at $100^{\circ}C$ in aqueous solution and the resulting hydroxides were calcined at $700^{\circ}C$ for 6 h to obtain the crystalline $ZrO_2$. The materials used in this study were characterized by differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), $N_2$-sorption, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), $NH_3$ temperature-programmed desorption ($NH_3$-TPD), $CO_2$-TPD and iso-propanol TPD analyses to correlate with catalytic activity for the dehydration of iso-propanol. The pure tetragonal $ZrO_2$ phase was obtained after 24 h aging of zirconium hydroxide and successive calcination at $700^{\circ}C$. The increase of aging time showed the production of smaller particle size $ZrO_2$ resulting that the higher specific surface area and total pore volume. $NH_3$-TPD results revealed that the relative acidity of the catalysts increased along with the increase of aging time. On the other hand, the results of $CO_2$-TPD showed the reverse trend of $NH_3$-TPD results. The best catalytic activity for the dehydration of iso-propanol to propylene was shown over $ZrO_2$ catalyst aged for 168 h which had the highest $S_{BET}$ ($178\;m^2\;g^{-1}$). The catalytic activity could be correlated with high surface area, relative acidity and easy desorption of iso-propanol.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• 제35권5호
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• pp.1516-1522
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• 2014

A series of 20 wt % $(NH_4)_2SO_4$ and 3 wt % $Al_2O_3$ surface treatments were applied to $Li[Li_{0.2}Mn_{0.54}Co_{0.13}Ni_{0.13}]O_2$ substrates. The $Li[Li_{0.2}Mn_{0.54}Co_{0.13}Ni_{0.13}]O_2$ substrates were synthesized using a co-precipitation method. Sample (a) was left pristine and variations of the 20 wt % $(NH_4)_2SO_4$ and 3 wt % $Al_2O_3$ were applied to samples (b), (c) and (d). XRD was used to verify the space group of the samples as R$\bar{3}$m. Additional morphology and particle size data were obtained using SEM imagery. The $Al_2O_3$ coating layers of sample (b) and (d) were confirmed by TEM images and EDS mapping of the SEM images. 2032-type coin cells were fabricated in a glove box in order to investigate their electrochemical properties. The cells were charged and discharged at room temperature ($25^{\circ}C$) between 2.0V and 4.8V during the first cycle. The cells were then charged and discharged between 2.0V and 4.6V in subsequent cycles. Sample (d) exhibited lower irreversible capacity loss (ICL) in the first charge-discharge cycle as compared to sample (c). Sample (d) also had a higher discharge capacity of ~250 mAh/g during the first and second charge-discharge cycles when compared with sample (c). The rate capability of the $Al_2O_3$-coated sample (b) and (d) was lower when compared with sample (a) and (c). Sample (d), coated with $Al_2O_3$ after the surface treatment with $(NH_4)_2SO_4$, showed an improvement in cycle performance as well as an enhancement of discharge capacity. The thermal stability of sample (d) was higher than that of the sample (c) as the result of DSC.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• 제47권5호
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• pp.497-505
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• 2014

This study is for discrimination between asbestiform and non-asbestiform based on size characteristics of tremolite-actinolite fibers in soils from a closed asbestos mine, Jecheon, Chungcheongbuk-do, Korea. Soils and tremolite asbestos rocks were collected from a closed asbestos mine area. The dimensions of fibers with minimum $5{\mu}m$ in length and 3:1 in aspect ratio were measured using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and compared to the known tremolite populations ranging from asbestiform to non-asbestiform. The geometric means of width of soils, asbestos rocks and National Institute for Standard and Technology (NIST) and Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) reference samples were $1.2{\mu}m$, $0.3-0.6{\mu}m$, $1.3{\mu}m$ and $0.2{\mu}m$, respectively. The geometric means of aspect ratio of soils, asbestos rocks and NIST and HSL reference samples were 7.3, 13.7-30.1, 7.2 and 37.8, respectively. The population of tremolite-actinolite fibers from soils compared to known asbestiform and non-asbestiform tremolite was lack of thin and high aspect ratio fibers. Upper results suggest that tremolite-actinolite fibers in soils cannot be classified into a commercial grade asbestos. The tremolite-actinolite fibers do not mainly appear to be the result of contamination from distance asbestos sources by wind. For the management and control of asbestos in soils, size distributions of amphiboles should be incorporated into asbestos survey results of soils.